“Human Performance” Parquet Courts

“Human Performance” Parquet Courts

Setting the Mood

In dire need of a new button-up to accommodate the summer weather. I finally bought myself some new clothes. The summer heat here in LA is crazy, I think it was 89 degrees today. Either way, I got a chance to listen to this album all throughout the mall. It’s great mall shopping music. The chill down-tempo tracks kept me clam for the most part. I do enjoy some tracks from this band. Even though, me buying clothes takes like 10 mintues, I finished the album mostly in the car ride home. Which is one of the most relaxing places for me. Not sure why car seats feel so comfortable compared to my computer chair. This album you can finish in about 50 minutes.

The Band

Parquet Courts, is also known as Parkay Quarts. They are an American rock band from New York City, assembled back in 2010. The current band consists of guitarist/vocalist Andrew Savage, guitarist/vocalist Austin Brown, bassist Sean Yeaton, and drummer Max Savage.

The band released their fist ever album, American Specialties on a old-school cassette format release back in 2011. The band’s second album, Light Up Gold was released on Savage’s Dull Tools label and later reissued on What’s Your Rupture? in 2013. Light Up Gold received huges amounts of critical success in both the DIY underground scene and the mainstream rock crowds.

Now in 2016, the band announced their very lyrical fifth album, entitled Human Performance. The album was released on April 8 2016.

Review

I got to say I really liked the intro song “Already Dead”. It was almost like I was being lead into something intense. When I listen to the new album “Human Performances” by Parquet Courts, I am taken away by some of their weird catchy songs about things like “Dust”. I got a feeling of older 80’s style rock music when listening top certain tracks like “Two dead cops”. That song specifically, reminded me of the band The Clash or old-school rock music from that time. I am a big fan, but it almost gives the album an unbalanced feel or too much variety.

The Good

Songs are diverse from track to track. The album starts nice, then it’s a mix of similar sounding tracks in the middle, then finally ends with a really slow track. I like the use of different instruments and unique sounds, in tracks like “Keep it even” or “One man no city”. Smooth chill melodic tracks kept me listening to the whole album. I also liked that some lyrics spoke of human concerns in today’s society. Tracks like “Pathos Prairie” talked about our life and the need to desire.

The Bad

I think it was maybe the structure of the album that kind of turned me off to the new album. The structure can be debated, but the bland lyric delivery seemed too cautious and boring. I think he could have heard some more risks on vocals or instruments. I felt like the band didn’t take any big risk with experimental new sounds. Sometimes you could barely hear somethings they were doing with drum patterns. Sadly only a few songs are stand out to be memorable and unique enough to be considered fun or impressive. I’m not sure if this band will continue to make albums like “Human Performance” or move in a more appealing route. Still I’ll follow this band and keep an optimistic hear open for their future development.

Last Words

I hope Parquet Courts can keep putting out albums in the coming years, and hopefully get a chance to even see them live. Their new album can be purchased on Amazon. Don’t forget to check out other music reviews on The EXP Grind.

The Good

I like the use of different instruments and unique sounds.

Smooth chill melodic tracks keep me listening.

Some lyrics speak of economical concerns in today's society

The Bad

Bland lyric delivery seemed too cautious and boring

Didn't take any big risk with experimental new sounds

Few songs are memorable and fun

6.5

Written by: Christian Galvez

Christian is the founder of The EXP Grind. He is interested in Movies, Music, Video Games, Anime, and just about anything in Arts and Entertainment. He tries to find art with true meaning and hopes to reach more creative professionals.